6 Weeks

I am 6 weeks old.
Smiling with daddy Sunday morning.
Hanging out in Avery*s bouncer.

I*m starting to get sad about leaving Savannah in two weeks. I*ve had so much fun with her. We*ve been running together shopping. She met a lot of new people this past week. We went to eat lunch with Aunt Debbie and Savannah got to meet the ladies I worked with when I worked at University Oral Surgery. They all loved her! This week Savannah shed her first tear. It was kind of sad seeing a tear under her eye. Savannah also started having tummy problems this week. She threw up at Amber*s house all over Avery*s swing, she wouldn*t sleep all day Saturday and she threw up bad again Tuesday morning, so I took her to the doctor. Luckily, she has gained 3.5 ounces in a week, so she*s eating well. Dr. Pollack thinks she has acid reflux. He put her on Zantac for a month. She still spits up, but seems to be getting better. I*m also watching what I eat more to help with her stomach problems. At 6 weeks:

* she can hold her head up at 45-degree angle for a few seconds while lying on stomach

* her muscle tone improves

* she stares vaguealy at surrondings

* she studies movemener of his own hands

* she may become excited in anticipation of objects

* she may smile when you smile

* she will stay awake longer if interacting with someone

5 Weeks

5 weeks old
ready to go to the dr.

first trip to church

sisters sleeping beside of each other

Savannah has been a traveling girl. We went to eat with Paw Paw Foust last week. He was so excited! We also went with Robert to his dr. apt. and then took her to the mall, but she didn*t enjoy the trip so it was VERY short! We also went to dinner with our friends the Brooks and their little boy. It was so interesting to watch Kenan and how Savannah will be in such a short time. We tried another mall trip the next day, which was also rough. We had Savannah*s one month pictures taken in her NC State pillowcase dress. We were done in 20 minutes because she was so fussy. We did get some good shots though. That night we went to eat dinner with another set of friends, The Abernathy*s and their little girl Piper. Sunday, Savannah went to church for the first time. She did so well! She slept the entire time. Monday was her 1 month apt. Savannah is PERFECT! She has gained 1 lb. She now weighs 8 lbs. 10 oz. and she also grew 1 inch, she is now 22 in. long. She also got her second hepatitis shot. I was able to hold her hands and look the other way without crying. A big shock for me! You should have seen her face. She turned red and her mouth opened and I haven*t heard a shriller cry from her since she was born. As soon as she finished crying and I put her in her car seat, she went straight to sleep. She was amazing the rest of the day and slept through the night. She even let me start running again, we ran through the neighborhood. At 5 weeks:

* she can bat at objects

* is more easily calmed by a female voice

* her actions become more voluntary and her reflexes begin to disappear

* her memory for objects continues to grow in length

* she can quiet herself by sucking on fingers or a pacifier

* she quiets when she is held or when she sees faces or hears voices

* she prefers to watch a person as compared to an object

Happy Halloween

Passed out after passing out candy.
Vampire sleeper

Halloween was a lot of fun! This was our first year at our house for Halloween. So, Sunday afternoon we carved the pumpkin and set it out for the trick or treaters to see. Robert*s dad and sister came down from Lexington to celebrate Halloween with us. He came with 3 different costumes. All a little freaky! He also bought some bats to decorate our house with. Savannah wore the cutest little outfit and helped me pass out candy. We a had 40 trick or treaters. Next year, we will take Savannah to the Pumpkin Ball at our church. I*m already trying to figure out a costume for her for next year.

4 weeks

4 Weeks Old
So Cute It*s Scary

In the past week, Savannah has met a lot of people. Savannah met the people I work with. I had to go into school to get ready for parent/teacher conferences. Everyone thought she was the cutest thing! She wore her new outfit that said "so cute it's scary" for Halloween. That night, NC State beat Florida State and Robert was soo excited! My mom kept Savannah for me while I did my parent/teacher conferences. It was a good test run for when I go back to work. It was successful! On the last day of conferences, Robert decided to stay home and he spent the entire day with Savannah. He really needed the time off and a good daddy/daughter day. At 4 weeks, Savannah can:
* roll partway to side from back
* when pulled to sitting position, may hold head in line with back
* can grasp objects when fingers are pried open but quickly drops it
* remembers object when it reappears within a couple of seconds
* may make an "ah" sound when she see us or hears us
* may clutch at the person holding her
* may make throaty sounds

3 weeks

3 weeks old today
playing with Kiara

napping with Landon

Today my baby girl is 3 weeks old. She is such a blessing to our lives! You've had many visitors in the past week. Megan and Bryan came to ask lots of questions because Megan is having a girl in January. She enjoyed holding you and learning all about you! You went on your first shopping trip. We went to Concord Mills and met Amber, Hayden and Avery. It was a lot of fun and you did really well! It*s funny how all I wanted to spend my money on was you. I only bought myself 1 thing. I was told this would happen and didn*t believe it. Don*t worry though, mommy will look just as in style and Savannah is going to. :) Robert was off on Friday and Whitney, Brian, Julia and Landon came to visit. They cooked us a late lunch that was amazing. Savannah took a nap with her cousin Landon. The only boy she will ever share a bed with! Paw Paw Foust also came over to visit and she had your eyes open for the first time with him. He was so excited! We bought a pumpkin to carve this week for Halloween. I can*t wait to carve it with Robert and then take Savannah*s picture with it! We haven*t carved a pumpkin together since we graduated college. At 3 weeks old, Savannah can:

* thrust out arms and legs in play

* can lift head briefly when lying on stomach

* may dig heels into mattress then thrust with legs

* coordinates eyes sideways when looking at a light or an object

* has vague and impassive expression during waking hours

* prefers patterns

* may calm when you speak gently to her and hold her upright against your shoulder

* makes eye contact

* adjusts posture to body of person holding her

2 weeks

Enjoys looking at herself in her play yard.Daddy washing Savannah*s hair.
2 weeks old

Savannah is two weeks old today. She has had so many visitors already. She is one loved little girl. Her umbilical cord fell off on Friday, well at least most of it. Robert and I were worried it was infected, so I took her to the doctor on Monday. It turns out everything was ok. She has also gained her weight back to 7 lbs. 10 oz., her birth weight. She is eating really well. I also feel like her newborn clothes are getting a little snug on her. I started a new routine/schedule for her today so we can get her to sleep at night. Once she gets to sleep, she is good, but getting her to sleep is the tough part! I*m starting to go a little stir crazy at home, so i*m hoping Robert will let me spend some time at the mall on Friday, since it*s his day off. We got her professional pictures today and i*m ready to hang them everywhere! We also got her birth announcements and they will be sent out tomorrow. I finally got all of the thank you cards finished for all of her gifts too. I feel pretty productive this past week. At 2 weeks, Savannah:

* startles spontaneously

* her hands are usually fisted or only slightly open

* stares at objects 8 to 12 inches away

* is alert about 1 in every 10 hours

* cries for assisstance

* quiets when held or when she sees faces

* eyes fix on my face in responses to my smile

* stares at faces

* responds to human voices

1 week old

1 week old and ready to see my great grandma and papa bigby
Our little family

Savannah is now 1 week old. She has taken over our world! We love being parents! She is a very laid back baby who sleeps a lot. The only problem is she doesn*t want to go to sleep at night. Once asleep, she*s good, but getting there is tough! We have had tons of visitors people making us food. We have enough food so I don*t have to cook for a long time. It*s great. Savannah also had her first photo shoot on Saturday. She did well until she woke up. Her pictures are beautiful! I*m healing great and we are adjusting to our new world. Savannah gained back 4 oz. from the 9 oz. she lost in the hospital, so needless to say, she eats well! Her first doctor*s apt. went well and we are both doing great! At 1 week, Savannah can:

* when startled, arches her back, kicks her legs and flails her arms
* can lift her head when on stomach or at someone*s shoulder

* moves her head from side to side

* her head flops forward and backward when in sitting position

* sleeps between 19 and 20 hours/day

* moves bowls often and sporadically (we have gone through a lot of diapers already)

* feeds 7 to 8 times/day

* makes animal like sounds (snorts like a pig when she*s hungry)

* looks at a person briefly

Labor and Delivery

At midnight I went into the hospital. I told Robert if they sent me home I would cry b/c my contractions hurt so bad. They checked me and I was dialated 5cm, so they decided to admit me and I was moved into a delivery room. I then began begging for the epidural. They tried to put the needles in my arm to draw blood, but they couldn*t get my blood to draw and it was very painful, I thought I might break Robert*s hand. They finally got the needles in my hand and they were able to draw my blood and start my fluids. I got the epidural at 2:30am. Robert watched as they put it in. It was very interesting. The doctor got a little to close to the right and my right side went numb immediately, but then everything else went numb. From then on, Robert and I slept on and off for until around 7am. At 4am, they went ahead and broke my water and started me on pitocin b/c my contractions slowed down. I was also 9 cm dialated. So, we slept a little while longer and at around 11am, Dr. Landis checked and I was fully dialated and she had me go ahead and do a test push. I pushed for about an hour and Savannah was here. Robert helped the whole time and held my leg and watched it all. It wasn*t as bad as I thought it was going to be. After 13 hours, Savannah Elizabeth Hicks came into this world at 12 noon at 7 lbs. 10 oz. 20 in. long.

Before going to the Hospital

Well, as most of you know, Savannah is here! Sorry it*s been a while, but just adjusting to being a mom. On Tuesday, Oct. 5, I work up around 2am with contractions. I hadn*t felt contractions before then and man, I finally knew what they felt like. I laid in bed for about half and hour and then started timing them at 2:30. I woke Robert up at 3:30 and told him what was going on. When he finally got up for work, he had me call the doctor and she sent him on to work. He called all day to check on me. I went to the doctor around lunch time and I was dialated 3cm and 90% effaced, so the doctor scraped my membranes again and sent me home. Mom took me to lunch at Macaroni Grill and then I went home to relax. Robert came home from work and we took a walk around the block to help my contractions, which I was having the entire time we were walking. We ate dinner and then around 9pm I took a bath and my contractions were coming 3-5 minutes apart and were hurting. We decided to call Dr. Landis at 10pm and she told me to hold off for another 2 hours if I could. I was able to hold off until 11pm and then we packed up, took Tipper to my mom and dads and headed to the hospital.

38 weeks

Papa and I at the reunion.
Grandma and I at the reunion.

Savannah*s play area from the second grade team.

Meredith had catch a picture of the belly.

Our Cake

This past week was very busy! Saturday night at our family reunion, we were thrown a suprise baby shower. It was so sweet and we were so excited to get more things for Savannah. On Monday my work threw me a shower. I love the people I work with and they really blessed Savannah and I. After an extremely busy week at work, I had a doctor's apt. on Friday. Robert went with me because he had to get a flu shot. :) He blamed not feeling well later on the flu shot. He can be such a baby sometimes. Dr. Landis said I was measuring well and her heartbeat was in the 140s. In total, I have gained 33 pounds. I need to chill out on eating I guess. Next Friday, Dr. Landis is going to check me and scrape my membranes to help start the contractions. I've been having small contractions, but nothing major. I'm ready to meet Miss Savannah and so is Robert!

Baby Showers

Robert opening presents at his baby shower.The amazing food at his shower.

Robert and I at his work.

Amber and I at our church baby shower.

Savannah got lots of books.

Our cake at the church baby shower. Delicious!

This week we had two baby showers. Our first one was with the church. All I can say is that I love our church family. We got so many awesome things and baby is now prepared. We were able to get her stroller and pack n play Sunday after the shower. Savannah got lots of books and baby necessities! I enjoy baby showers because I get to play with all of her stuff as I put it away. The next shower was with Robert*s work. That was a lot of fun. Lots of great advice was given and some amazing gifts! All I can say is Robert is loved at work. I can*t forget the amazing food too! I also went to the doctor Tuesday morning. I*ve gained 30 pounds all together. Not too bad. I measured where I needed to be and her heartbeat was around the 140s. My cervix wasn*t open, but the doctor said he could feel her head and that she was really low. So, we*ll see what happens at my next doctors apt. next Friday. We also have two more baby showers coming up. I can*t believe all of the love this little girl is already getting!

Baby Classes

Childbirth classes were very interesting and scary. Friday night, I was terrified! Saturday was better. I learned everything I need to know about labor and delivery. Savannah has to come out, so I guess now i*m more prepared. I don*t know if I want an epidural, I think I want to see how it goes. Everyone keeps saying to get the epidural, so we*ll see what happens. Robert and I learned massage techniques to help labor go smoother. Robert got an awesome back massage, I didn*t. He wanted to play around. I think when it comes to the actual time, it will be better. Monday night I went to breastfeeding classes. It was also very interesting and stressful. I feel like a lot of pressure is put on a woman to breastfeed and once I go back to work, I don*t know how everything is going to work out with pumping. It will be a tough decision to make once Savannah is here. I also know that I have Robert*s support on whatever happens. He asked me last night when we can start with a bottle, whether breastfeeding or formula so he can help. He*s such an awesome man! Wednesday night was infant cpr and caring for your baby. This was the most fun class. I hope I never have to use infant cpr on Savannah, but now i*m prepared. The classes made me ready to meet Savannah even more. I can*t wait to meet her and be her mommy!

35 Weeks

Robert and I inside the stadium. We are ready for the game!
Love this picture of the field!

The girls ready for the reunion.

In Rebecca*s apartment, ready to go to the reunion.

This week was a lot of fun! Robert started softball Tuesday night and it was a rough start, but look forward to next Tuesday. He*ll do much better! Friday night was my 10 year high school reunion. We went to dinner with one of my bff*s Jessica and her fiance Roger at Rock Bottom. We then went to the Holiday Inn in downtown. It was fun meeting up with old friends and riding the light rail into the city. We left a little early though b/c Saturday we drove to Raleigh and went to the NC State vs. Western Carolina football game. We won!!!!! I miss Robert*s friends from State all the time, so it was fun to spend time with them. Savannah enjoyed her first NC State football game and tailgate party. Sunday we spent the day on the lake with my sister in law and father in law. We always have fun with them and eat good too! I am sick this week though with what I think is a sinus infection. NO FUN! Friday will start another busy weekend and week for use. We have our childbirth classes at the hospital and two baby showers. I can*t wait!

33 Weeks

The beautiful blanket from Marie, Robert*s sister. This blanket is very special!

Her closet. It*s really not as bad as everyone thought it would be, but you haven*t see what*s in her dressers. :)

Changing table with Robert*s rocking chair when he was younger and her toy basket. I*m sure it will get bigger!

Savannah*s crib, if you notice at the ceiling, I need one more lantern to complete the set, so it is coming. Notice who also has been in Savannah*s room, Tipper. :)

Entrance into the room, this is her dresser.

As I write this, we have 45 days til baby girl will be here. I can*t believe it. On Monday I went to the doctor and my belly is measuring 34 cm and Savannah*s heartbeat was 160 beats. She was really happy. I*m glad she was b/c I was stressing and rushing through everything b/c I had Open House Monday night. I go back to the dr. in 2 weeks and have to have all of those towards the end tests, not looking forward to that, but i*ll be ok. As I said, Monday night was Open House and everyone was excited about Savannah. There were no discouraging parents. Wednesday school started and the kids are just as excited about Savannah! I have a good group and am excited about this year! The nursery is finished! I*m so excited! It looks so good and Robert did such a good job painting and putting her furniture together. I was also able to put away and put out Savannah*s shower presents. I*ve had so much fun with this pregnancy. I can*t wait to meet our baby girl!

Family Baby Shower

At Aunt Debbie*s house, where the family shower took place.

Wow! I had the most amazing time yesterday at our first baby shower. Debbie and mom worked together to throw me an amazing shower! I think about 40 of our family and close friends came to celebrate with us. Savannah will want for nothing, for sure. We got everything from diapers and wipes to entire outfits. I especially love the coming home dress my dad picked out for Savannah. I can*t list everything we got, but it was so much. Thank you to everyone who came and shared this moment with us and gave Savannah some great gifts!

31 Weeks

Laying on her arm with her mouth wide open.

Full face picture. I love her lips!

She loves her hands. Look at that little smile.

Kellie and I

Stephie and I at lunch at Panera Bread

Her carpets are clean.

Her new fan, she had to have. Robert is already spoiling her!

Some of Savannah*s furniture is here! Robert put a new fan in her room and is painting this week. Mom and dad helped me pick up furniture Monday. We also were finally able to order her crib. That was a pain! I can*t wait to start putting her clothes in the drawers. I had a doctor*s apt. this week. Same as usual, things looking good. I was measuring 30 cm, her heartbeat was around the 140s and according to the doctor*s scales, I have gained 27 pounds. SCARY!!! I don*t like gaining weight. We also signed up for out childhood/baby classes this week. I*m looking forward to learning more about how to take care of Savannah. Thursday I went to eat lunch with my graduate friends and had so much fun! They are so sweet and gave Savannah some great gifts! Mom and I also made the thank you bags for my first shower this weekend. I*m really looking forward to seeing all of my family from near and far. It*s going to be so much fun! We also got to see our baby girl again this week at our make up 3D/4D apointment. I love it so much! She was much more copoperative than last time and we got a lot of pictures. I think the coolest thing was seeing her gums when she yawned and smiled really big. I can*t wait to meet her in 8 weeks, or less as Robert says.